Can you handle my Hikigaya's cooking?

Hachiman: "I'll do my best..."

Yukino's smile seemed to never disappear. She had an inexplicable trust in the young man who had helped her get rid of the nightmares of the past. She simply responded:

"Well, that's good..."

"I believe you can do what Hikigaya-kun said."

...

In the distance, Erina, who had just escaped from everyone's questioning, finally rushed out of the venue with Hisako, because since the last incident, the relationship between the two has indeed eased, and... in Erina's heart, those photos are indeed proof that he cares about her, so now... even if she sends her blessings, it is normal, huh.

After going through untold hardships, Hisako and Erina finally found Hikigaya, but...

Hisako: "Erina-sama, the person in front must be Hikigaya-san, but he seems to be chatting with Yukinoshita-san and seems very happy. Do you want to go over now?"

Erina was a little dazed: "Snow... Yukinoshita..."

Hisako: "Erina-sama?"

Erina: "Give him a head! As a lady, why should I give a blessing to such a guy? Besides, I hope he loses sooner! Idiot, idiot, idiot!"

Hisako: "Erina-sama is really hard to understand..."

Chapter 99: Just tell me where I went wrong, Erina-sama

After saying goodbye to Yukinoshita, Hachiman quickly returned to Polaris Dormitory. Although he finally got the final qualifying spot after almost ten hours of fierce fighting, it was obviously still not his end. In this case, he might as well have a good rest. If he gets enough energy, he will be able to face the upcoming finals.

only...

Hikigaya was still puzzled by Yukinoshita's words. In his opinion, Yukinoshita was such a proud person, but she said such words at that time...

On the way back, Hikigaya's mind was almost always filled with what Yukinoshita had just said to him, as well as the incident of meeting Yukinoshita Yukino's sister Haruno. Was all this... really just a coincidence?

If even she had run into her sister, then it was curious why the two of them seemed as if they had never met.

Since he couldn't find the exact answer after thinking so much, Hikigaya Hachiman didn't plan to delve deeper into it. He simply put it all behind him and fell asleep in the car.

Unlike in the past, a letter written by an unknown person had already been placed in the mailbox at the entrance of Polaris Dormitory. However, when he saw that the recipient was Hikigaya himself, he took it out in disbelief.

Hikigaya Hachiman thought about it and couldn't think of a friend who could write to him so well...

After much confusion, Hachiman could only open the envelope, and the first sentence inside was:

"Xiao Qi, are you wondering now who has the time to write you a letter?"

"Yes, it's me, Yuigahama Yui. Hehe, you didn't expect that, did you?"

Seeing that the style was the same as Yuigahama's usual style, Hikigaya Hachiman no longer had any doubts. No matter what, he still believed that there should be no letter in the world that could imitate Yuigahama's tone.

"Although I didn't get the tickets this time, I have already bought the tickets for the finals. You and Yukino, come on! I will watch the finals match on TV!"

"Also, if both of you can make it to the finals... hehe, our 'Stuttering Cookies' will become famous. So I won't say much, I believe Xiaoqi can do it."

It was obvious that this letter was sent by Yuigahama before the game started. Hachiman complained: "What era is it now? It's obvious that sending a text message or making a phone call will be enough, but you still have to write a letter..."

Of course, even though he was complaining like that, his hands were still very honest and he put the letter away.

Although the change has not been long, Hikigaya, who now has a sense of security, is obviously no longer entangled in many things compared to the past, and even his heart has become extremely strong again.

No matter what, Hikigaya Hachiman didn't hate the feeling of being cared for.

At the same time, the 'Stuttering Cookies' was packed with people, because after the game, Yuigahama quickly hung up a banner that he had prepared long ago:

"Our cookies are made under the guidance of Hachiman Hikigaya and Yukinoshita Yukino!"

This line of words is more effective than any previous advertisement or even the improved one. Although not everyone outside the school pays attention to food, this commercial street is near Totsuki Academy after all, and this competition is an entertainment program for local residents, so it can be said to be very popular. So... there is no need to think too much, from the end of the game... this place has completely collapsed.

Even the usually steady Miura was a little flustered. Looking at the endless sea of ​​people, she realized that perhaps the only ones who were hurt today were the workers like her.

Yuigahama: "That's great... Xiaoqi and Xiaoyukino really made it to the finals..."

Miura: "Don't be too optimistic! If the number of customers this week continues like this, we may not be able to make it to the finals in a month, let alone the finals."

Hearing Miura's threat, Yuigahama seemed to suddenly realize a very serious problem, but...

Her little brain quickly came up with a better idea:

“We can hire workers!”

"Idiot, you hired workers when you made money for the first time. I know why you couldn't make money before."

"hey-hey..."

...

Time flew by and five days had passed in a flash. There were still two days before the competition, but Hachiman was still leisurely training his stability. Now he could hold the frying pan with one hand and remain motionless for nearly an hour, and his control over the heat was also very precise. The main reason for all this was that the school sent a text message the day after the competition.

“The final dishes will be decided by a live draw.”

Since nothing can be done now, Hikigaya can only spend his time practicing basic skills. After all, every great chef needs solid basic skills. The higher he climbs, the more Hachiman feels that, to some extent, he is different from those who have been practicing cooking skills since childhood.

Just like Ryo Hayama and Kurokiba, although they were defeated by themselves in the end, they did have their own accomplishments in processing ingredients over time, and even in innovating dishes, they no longer needed to improve on some ordinary dishes, but truly started from scratch.

This may be their amazing point, and to achieve this, it requires not only ability, but also experience. Only day after day of practice and the time accumulated in actual combat are enough to achieve this, and now...

Regardless of whether there will be a competition or not, Hachiman will have a cooking showdown with everyone in Polaris Dormitory every day. In this short week, he has developed three new dishes at the moment of deciding on the recipe. Although there were some failures, but...

For a chef, being able to develop three new dishes in such a short time is already extremely terrifying.

This also means that even in the upcoming draw, he may still be able to create new products on the spot.

Today, the same thing...

Outside the yard, Grandma Wenxu sat comfortably on a wooden chair, holding a fan that looked very historical, and just closed her eyes to enjoy the warm afternoon sun.

"Grandma Wenxu, the weather today is unexpectedly good."

Granny Wenxu didn't open her eyes. Just by hearing the voice, she had guessed who the visitor was:

"Isshiki, how are the affairs of the Ten Elites going lately?"

When he heard the words "Ten Outstanding People", a hint of something strange flashed across Isseki's face, but he soon revealed a faint smile:

"Don't worry, Granny Wenxu. It's just some minor conflicts."

"Ah, you young people are such a jerk. But don't worry. After all, there will always be disagreements among the top ten in every class. As long as you stay true to your heart and be yourself, there will be no problem."

"Ah."

"How's that guy Hikigaya doing? His finals will be in two days."

Hearing Hikigaya's name, Isshiki's face softened and a faint smile appeared:

"No matter how many times I see him, I still feel a little emotional... This guy is much more powerful than I was back then."

Granny Wenxu: "Well, although in terms of personality, he is much more troublesome than a headache, maybe it's because he inherited it from his father, Shiroichiro..."

Isshiki: "Huh? Is this the kind of personality that Shiroichiro-san has? I thought he would be more open..."

Granny Wenxu: "What are you thinking? That guy is just too open, and as for Hikigaya, he is too stable... It doesn't seem like he is this age, even more so than an old man like me. If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes..."

Isshiki: "Hahaha, if Hikigaya-kun heard this, he would definitely start to complain, but... no matter what, maybe his appearance will really bring about earth-shaking changes to this school, or even the entire culinary world."

When he said this, there was a hint of determination on Isse's face.

Granny Wenxu: "Well, that's good..."

"boom!"

Until there was a loud noise like an explosion in the kitchen, Granny Wenxu waved her fan as if she was not frightened at all, and Isshiki sighed helplessly:

"It's the situation where the kitchen explodes from time to time. It may happen every day in the future."

"That brat, Isshiki, remember to teach him a lesson."

"Granny Wenxu, this is too much to ask. I am a gentle senior, and it is really difficult for me to treat my lovely junior like this."

"Do not talk nonsense!"

"Yes..."

On the other side, Yoshino was holding his belly and laughing. He couldn't stop laughing for a while. Tadokoro Kei quickly came to Hikigaya and handed him a white towel:

"Hikigaya-san, are you okay? Please wipe your face first, it's covered with noodles..."

Hikigaya didn't refuse, but took the towel handed over by Tadokoro Megumi and said lightly:

"Thank you. Actually, when I was making noodles just now, I suddenly thought of whether I could make the noodles pop up like popcorn, and then use honey to soften them to create a different flavor. But obviously, the facts tell me that it is not possible."

Yoshino wiped the tears from his eyes and covered his stomach, which was about to collapse from laughing. He only spoke intermittently: "Stupid... idiot, you actually have such an idea!"

Ibusaki: “Maybe it will work…”

Marui: "Why did I think of a strange thing..."

Yoshino: “Huh?”

Ryoko: "Fried noodles? Isn't that just instant noodles?"

Everyone: "..."

Two days later, there were still four hours left before the competition.

As usual, Hikigaya will first take the school's private car to the competition site to prepare, but since this competition chooses the on-site random inspection system, there is no need to prepare any ingredients.

but...

Ryoko: "Looks like everything is fine..."

Yoshino: "Ryoko, is it really okay for you to spoil him? This guy has made no progress at all in the past few days."

Ryoko smiled softly, then came to Hikigaya and helped him tidy up his clothes:

"Well, he never made us worry, and never let us down..."

Having said this, Ryoko fixed her eyes on Hikigaya's face and said calmly: "Anyway, getting to this point has exceeded everyone's expectations. Next, we just need to keep a calm mind and devote everything to the competition."

Hachiman nodded in agreement. As for the people in front of him, he didn't know when it started, but Hikigaya seemed to have no more barriers with them. He was obviously a student who inserted himself in the middle of the class. He was supposed to repeat the same incident as in junior high school, being alone day after day without being able to fit in the topic, but...

Perhaps it's not just the environment that's different.

"Anyway, thank you for this time."

Marui: "Idiot, don't talk like you're going to die. Don't put too much pressure on yourself."

Ibusaki: "Even if you say so, I don't see any pressure on Hikigaya at all."

Everyone: “So…”

They all seemed to look into Hikigaya's eyes at the same time, and sure enough, there was nothing.

Mito: "Well, after all, my opponent is that Yukinoshita, so it's enough to just show my level no matter what."

Granny Wenxu: "Okay, okay, you young people are more fussy than me. Anyway...come on."

At the urging of Grandma Wenxu, Hachiman got into the special car in front of everyone.

Tadokoro Megumi put her hands on her chest, still clearly looking very worried: "Hikigaya-san...are you really okay?"

Ryoko: "Well, there's no point in worrying about this. Let's pack up and rush to the scene. By then, we'll have to rely on our eyes to tell us the answer."

...

When we arrived at the new venue, there were still about two hours before the game started. The venue was called "Moonlight Chapter".

Because it is open to the public, and as long as there is a moon, the moonlight will shine on the venue on time at 8 o'clock every day, making it look particularly bright and clean.

Of course, this is all the information Hikigaya knows about this venue. After all, it is the final, so it can accommodate more people than the previous round-robin tournament, and culinary experts from all over the world will gather here at the same time in two hours.

Because the Nakiri family was responsible for the special car pick-up, as soon as Hikigaya got off the car, he noticed Erina Nakiri who was already waiting.

No matter how many times he meets this guy, he always feels strange because he doesn't know if this guy has something against him from the bottom of his heart. So sometimes when he sees Erina, Hikigaya thinks it's better not to say hello. But after what happened last time...

The relationship between the two became even more subtle, so they just stood there, staring at each other.

"H-hello?"

"How can you say such official words..."

Although I really want to complain about myself just now, after all, I have already greeted him, and it seems too late to pretend not to see it now...

However, Hachiman thought Erina would greet him back out of politeness, but he didn't expect her to hold her breath, cross her arms and turn her head away. Obviously, she was angry.

At this moment, Hachiman was also completely confused. It was obvious that he was becoming more and more confused about Erina. Not to mention why she suddenly got angry, but this was too troublesome.

With a helpless sigh, Hachiman walked backstage in a bad mood. I thought the two would say goodbye here, but unexpectedly, it was Erina's turn to speak in advance: